Another individual has accepted guilt in the case surrounding Matthew Perry, famous for his role in “Friends”.

On Wednesday, Dr. Mark Chavez, aged 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, in Los Angeles. This charge could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, or a fine of $500,000, or twice the profit or loss from the crime, as stated in the plea deal filed on August 15 and obtained by YSL News.

As part of his release conditions, Chavez has agreed to surrender his passport, limit his travel to central and Southern California, avoid illegal substances and marijuana, and cease practicing medicine. His sentencing is set for April 2, 2025, according to NBC News.

YSL News has attempted to contact Chavez’s attorney for comments, but a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has not responded.

Earlier, a judge had released Chavez on a $50,000 bond on August 30. After the hearing, his lawyer, Matthew Binninger, stated that Chavez was “deeply remorseful” and “is cooperating fully to assist in this matter.”

Chavez, operating from San Diego and previously managing a ketamine clinic, was accused of unlawfully procuring ketamine that was sold to Perry through fraudulent means, including writing prescriptions without proper consent, as outlined in his plea agreement.

Chavez and his attorney agreed to this deal on July 22.

Perry, who had been open about his addiction battles, was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi at his home in the Los Angeles area on October 28, 2023, and was declared dead shortly thereafter. His live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, made the emergency call.

More than a month later, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that Perry’s death was accidental and predominantly due to “the acute effects of ketamine.” A total of five individuals have been charged in relation to Perry’s untimely passing.

Who is facing charges in the death of Matthew Perry?

In the lead-up to Perry’s demise, Iwamasa was reported to have spent at least $55,000 acquiring ketamine for him, according to attorneys. Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Erik Fleming, identified as an associate of Perry, has confessed to supplying the ketamine that resulted in Perry’s death. On August 8, he pleaded guilty to two charges: conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Authorities claim that Jasveen Sangha supplied the ketamine that led to Perry’s passing. Known in U.S. legal filings as the “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood, Sangha faces nine charges in total, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Sangha has entered a not guilty plea to all allegations, as has Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who is accused of distributing ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his death. Plasencia is facing ten charges and has also entered a not guilty plea.

Plasencia, who runs Malibu Canyon Urgent Care in Calabasas, California, is reportedly returning to his clinical practice, as stated by his attorney on August 21.

Prosecutors: Doctor Fabricated Records to Get Ketamine for Matthew Perry

U.S. prosecutors allege that Chavez supplied 22 vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges, both obtained via deceitful means, to Plasencia for distribution to Perry. According to the plea agreement, Chavez was fully aware that selling ketamine vials for self-administration by a patient was against the law.

Furthermore, Chavez knew it was unlawful to acquire a prescription for a controlled substance under a patient’s name without their knowledge or consent.

Between September and October 2023, Plasencia allegedly contacted Chavez to procure ketamine for Perry, who was “willing to pay a premium for the drug,” according to U.S. attorneys. Over subsequent weeks, Chavez reportedly submitted false information to obtain ketamine, which was to be sold to Perry via Plasencia from wholesale suppliers.

Why Matthew Perry was ‘Friends’ with all of us

Chavez chose to transfer ketamine vials to Plasencia, even though he was aware that Plasencia had minimal experience in treating patients with the drug. In exchange for money, Chavez sent Plasencia ketamine lozenges, which were acquired through a fraudulent prescription linked to an unsuspecting patient.

Initially, Chavez provided Plasencia with “at least four vials of liquid ketamine,” as well as “ketamine lozenges, gloves, and syringes,” according to the plea agreement. After a meeting with Perry, which Plasencia described as “like a bad movie,” Plasencia shared part of his earnings with Chavez.

On October 2, 2023, after Plasencia hinted that they might have a business opportunity with Perry, Chavez allegedly responded: “Let’s do whatever we can to make it happen.” While reaching out to ketamine wholesalers, Chavez reportedly misled them about the intended use of the anesthetic and falsely claimed that he was still employed at a prior clinic.

Around October 12, 2023, Chavez discovered that the Medical Board of California was investigating allegations of him taking ketamine from his previous clinic. He informed Plasencia of this development and expressed the desire to handle any future transactions “legally,” as stated by attorneys.

After hearing the news of Perry’s passing, Chavez called Plasencia to ask if he thought the actor’s death could be linked to the ketamine they supplied. According to the plea agreement, Plasencia allegedly said he wasn’t worried since he hadn’t seen Perry in several weeks.

Matthew Perry received 6 shots of ketamine daily leading up to his passing

The ketamine involved in Perry’s death was reportedly supplied by Fleming in collaboration with Sangha. On October 10, 2023, assistant Iwamasa reached out to Fleming to acquire ketamine and worked with Sangha to source and sell the anesthetic to Perry, per attorneys.

On October 24, 2023, “despite telling a patient at his clinic less than a week earlier that (Perry) was too far gone and engulfed in his addiction,” Plasencia ordered 10 vials of ketamine from a wholesaler intended for Perry, according to an indictment against Plasencia and Sangha. That same day, Fleming also delivered 25 vials of ketamine purchased from Sangha to Iwamasa at Perry’s residence.

In the following days, Iwamasa is said to have administered six shots of ketamine to Perry each day. On October 28, 2023, he injected “at least three shots of the ketamine” acquired from Fleming and Sangha, which allegedly led to Perry’s death and caused serious bodily harm, according to the indictment.

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance or alcohol use challenges, you can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.